The electorate will vote on December 16 in the 46th round of general elections, in which nuclear power generation and the consumption tax rate hike are focused. The latter will hit people with a heavier burden. After the general elections the constitution amendment issue will certainly be a major political debate. Let's stage campaigns to bring victory to every one of candidates that the New Socialist Party (NSP) recommends and supports. In the Tokyo area let's stage the maximum struggles so that Candidate Utsunomiya Kenji, who vehemently rejects the nuclear power option, can win in the governorship election taking place simultaneously.


MAXIMUM CAMPAIGNS NEEDED TO WIN CANDIDATES WHO DENFED PEOPLE'S LIFE


Voters in Tokyo will cast a ballot on December 16 for both of general elections and governorship. Many political parties were organized hastily in recent days and the major contentions are: to impose more sacrifices on to majority of people or to establish a basis for change to fulfill constitutional goals. In short, politics for defending people's life or making money.


Objection to Nuclear Power Generation and Poverty


The most crucial issue in the general elections is the nuclear power generation: to halt reoperation at nuclear power plants or going back to generation. In several referenda held in the European countries after the Fukushima accident the results have shown people want to stop nuclear energy generation. The world watches Japanese voters whether they should express a will against nuclear power in the coming general elections. If we cannot show clear determination, the world will get disgusted.


The second issue is poverty. For the fiscal 2013 a budgetary cut is planned to reduce benefits provided by Life Protection Service. That means to squeeze a living person. And subsequently, the minimum wage and pensions will be decreased while payments for elderly care and social services will increase. Children may not be supported with benefits for school education.


The Labor Standard Law says: 'working conditions must retain a level which satisfies needs of workers who may lead a dignified life'. But the Worker Dispatch Act has undermined the rule to produce poor workers who cannot maintain an ordinary living standard. Meanwhile Big Business accumulates massive internal reserves and people with high income enjoy various tax reduction measures.


In addition, the ruling class is intended to make more profits by joining the TPP (trans-Pacific Partnership) scheme and raising the consumption tax rate, while decreasing responsibilities.


People's opinions are contrary. The internal reserves must be allocated to pay for wages of workers and guarantee higher unit prices of subcontracting producers. Non-necessary and non-urgent money of rich people must be paid to the state coffer as wealth tax to sustain the nation's economy and bring hopes to young people and safety to the elderly.


Constitution is Critical


The US military presence is justified by the bilateral Security Treaty which contradicts the Constitution: troops can stay as long as they wish and can use bases as much as they want. The coming general elections will show a decision of people: to withdraw US bases from Okinawa and the rest of the islands.


The Constitution, a fortress to defend peace and life of people, stands on the verge of abyss. Before the dissolution of the Lower House last November only 3% of lawmakers were supporters of Constitution.


If intentional propaganda goes on, for instance, to provoke an issue on the Senkakus Islands, amendment of Constitution may be easily put on the political agenda. We must remember the days when the National Railway Corporation was privatized due to retreat of the ex-Socialist Party of Japan and subsequently the whole society has been induced to deterioration, which we see today.


Voters will face stern choices in the coming general elections; they may have some time to reorganize tasks so as to evade the worst path or may allow the governing body to go to neo-liberal package that gives priority to profit-making, sacrificing people's life.


The ruling side is united, while people's side is left defensive. The New Socialist Party has concluded a political agreement with the Social Democratic Party to seek broader cooperation. Let's make the maximum efforts during the short campaign days until voting. Let's fight for a society in which the constitutional principles may be fulfilled. Let's fight against nuclear power generation, poverty and discrimination.


December 11, 2012